Folder and cutter attachment for sewing machines



July 25, 1944.

P. w. VALENTINE FOLDER AND CUTTER ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Jan. 29, 1942 W ZZ/Ill nh'l'llll l INVENTOR 5;? W Mu awn/vs ATTORNE Patented July 25, 1944 FOLDER AND CUTTER ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Percy W, Valentine, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to The Puritan Manufacturing Company, Boston,

Mass., a company of Massachusetts- Application January 29, 1942 Serial No. 428,666 I 11 Claims. (01'. 112-130)' vThis invention relates to attachments used on sewing machines, in folding a strip upon the edge of a workpiece in the operation of stitching the strip to the workpiece, in forming a binding or a facing on the edge portion of the workpiece.

More particularly the invention relates to an attachment having means facilitating the cutting of a. binding or finishing strip without re- 'moving the strip from the folder employed so as .to simplify the trimming operation of the strip and produce a predetermined. cut on the end of the strip. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description and annexed drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views,

and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a sewing machine attachment made according to my invention and indicating the method of its use.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the .line 33 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a detail view of a part of a workpiece illustrating a binding or facingstrip attached thereto by the use of my attachment.

It is old in the art to provide strip folding attachments for sewin machines, to fold and apply a strip to the edge portion of a workpiece, in the operation of stitching the strip to the workpiece in the, machine. However, in attachments of this type and, kind, it has been essential ,to withdraw a part of the stripfrom the attachment insevering the strip and in performing this operation hurriedly, jagged and irregular trimmed ends have been formed on the strip as finally stitched to the workpiece. In procedures of this type and kind, where care is taken to properly trim the end of the strip, this results in a loss of time by the need of an additional operation and further ina loss of material.

It is the purpose of my invention to eliminate these objectionable features by modifying attachments of this type and kind in a very simple manner, namely by providing atransverse slit or aperture through the curved or channeled portion of the attachment so that a knife or cutting implement of any type or kind can be passed through this slit or aperture in forming a neat and finished end cut on the strip, which will definitely trim both the start and finished ends of a strip as applied to a workpiece and accomplishing this result without any waste in the material, and further at a material saving in labor, resulting further ina greater production of. the finished products. While an ordinary portable knife or cutter of any kind couldbe used to. accomplishthe desired trimming operation,

.it is preferred to further modify the attachment in constructing as a unit part thereof, or at least associated therewith, a cutting or shearing tool normally supported in position to be operated through theslit or aperture of the. folder in trimming the; finishing strip or tape.

In: the drawing, 10 represents an arm having a horizontal mounting end II for attachment to a sewing machine and a vertically disposed end I2 fordetachably and adjustably supporting a turn- .ing device 83. The end [2 has elongatedaper- ,tures l4, note Fig; 2, through which pass screws -l5-whi ch extend intothe back plate Iii of the turner 13.. This construction provides proper alinement oftheturner in the sewing machine.

receive thestrip or tape, [8 indicated in dot and dash. lines at the right of Fig. 1 and in its turned The end l1 .ofthe turner is flared outwardly to ,appliedposition attheleft of Fig. 1. In the latter position, the tape is disposed upon the edge portion 49 of av workpiece, partially shown at 26; At 21 is shownthe-curved orarch shaped portion ofthe- .turnerwhich has a ,U-shaped channel 22 extendingto the outer and beveled end 23 of the device] 13. I The beveled end 23 has a transverse channel. 24; for receiving the jreversely turned strip and the workpiece, as illustrated at the leftof .Fig. 1 ofv the drawing. The end portion H. of the turnenwhere it converges to and joins the channeled portion 2|, has anelongated aperture 25 I whicheXposes-the strip l8 therethrough to facilitate feeding of the strip through the turner after a portion of the strip has been severed.

,, The above described construction generally represents a turnerdevice as employed inapplying binding and finishing strips to workpieces of various types and classes and particularly devices of this kind as used in applying the strips to .the peripheral edges of the soles of slippers and similar footwear.

.. c The feature of my present invention in modil fying devices. of,.t his.type and kind consists in providing.atransverse slit or aperture 26 in the channeled portionzl of the turner preferably at a prdetermineddistance from the discharge or beveled end 23 thereof. 7 This slit or aperture extends .onto the back wall I6 of the turner sufficiently to form abeveled backing wall 21 which is of sufficient depth as to fully expose the complete cross sectional contour of the channel 22 to a knife or cutter 28, the pointed end portion 29 of in Fig. 2.

which is adapted to pass downwardly over the beveled surface 21. The knife 28 has a long cutting edge 38, which in the downward progress of the knife, will pass through the strip or tape |8 in the manner of a shear, cutting first through one edge portion of the strip and then finally to the other edge portion thereof. This operation will produce a clean cutting edge at the particular angle at which the knife 28 and the slit or aperture 26 are arranged with respect to theplane of the strip.- In this connection, it will be understood that the angular position of the knife and slit may be varied from that illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

I also preferably add to the top of the turner or the channeled portion 2| thereof, a forked extension 3|, the recess 32 of which is in alinement with the recess or aperture 26. This extension forms a guide for the pointed end 29 of the knife and also part of a guard over the cutting edge of the knife.

The knife 28 is pivotally supported, as seen at 33, in the lower forked end portion 34 of a plunger 35. The plunger is slidably mounted in the cylindrical portion 36 of a bracket 31, said cylindrical portion having a channel 38 extending throughout the major portion of the length thereof and this channel includes outwardly projecting guard flanges 39 which extend over the forked guide and guard 3| to protect the blade edge 30.

The bracket 31 includes a downwardly extending offset mounting plate portion 48 which is disposed between the end |2 of the arm l8 and the backing l6 of the turner, as clearly seen in Fig. 2 of tile drawing. The upper end of the bracket terminates in a cylindrical collar 4| which forms a seat for one end of a coil spring 42 arranged upon the plunger 35, theother end of the spring seating upon a milled nut 43 secured to the outer free end of the plunger.

The upper edge 44 of the blade 28 is curved to form what might be termed a cam edge which seats upon the lower edge of the collar 4| to normally support the back end portion 45 upon the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 36, as clearly seen in full lines of Fig. 2 of the drawing. It will be understood that in the downward move ment of the plunger by the pressure of the hand upon the knob end 43, the blade 28 will move on its pivot 33 by virtue of the guidance of the l pointed end 28 of the blade over the beveled surface 21. The result of this operation will bring the blade into the dotted position, shown at X Upon releasing the pressure on the plunger, the knife 28 will be automatically raised and returned to the full line position, shown in Fig. 2.

There is one advantageous feature with the present construction and that is whenever desirable or necessary, the blade may be reshar-pened by simply applying slight pressure on the plunger and swing the blade to the outward position indicated at X2 of Fig. 2, in which position the major portion of the cutting edge 30 of the blade is exposed beyond theguard, which would facilitate sharpening. This swinging operation of the blade may be accomplished by placing the finger, or a tool, in the notched portion 46 of the upper end of the blade and the blade is also firmly supported in the extended position by arranging this curved or notched portion upon the collar end 4|, the spring 42 retaining the parts in this temporary position. To return the blade to normal position, it is first necessary to slightly depress the plunger in order to free the blade to allow it to swing into its full line position, where it is held in the manner previously described.

In using the attachment for trimming the facing for peripheral edges of soles, the cutting operation takes place about the time that the first end portion 41 of the strip .has been reached or is about to be reached by the finishing end portion indicated at 48 in Fig. 4 of the drawing. This end portion, before it is attached, is cut by the knife 28 to form the end 49 after which the stitching operation, as at 58, is continued over the overlapped portions of the ends 41, 48 in completing the attachment of the facing to the 1;, sole. It will be understood that immediately upon trimming the strip by the knife or blade 28, this blade returns to inoperative position and after the first workpiece has been completed, the strip is advanced through the turner to bring the last cut end portion in position to receive the next successive workpiece and then the above described operation is repeated.

The bracket 31 supports the cylinder 38 and the plunger 35 in an upwardly and forwardly extending position with respect to the sewing machine in order to clear the head of the machine. This also places the knob end 43 of the plunger in accessible position for the operator to depress the plunger. The wall of the cylinder 36 includes a recess or opening 5| with which the pivot screw 33 is adapted to register in detaching the blade or knife from the plunger 35.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A cutter for attachments of the class described comprising a cylindrical support, a plunger mounted in said support, a cutter blade pivotally supported in connection with one end of the plunger and keyed in said support, the other end of the plunger projecting beyond the support, a spring engaging the plunger to maintain the blade in retracted position within the support, and means engaging the blade, upon actuation of said plunger, to swing the blade on its pivot in the movement of the blade into operative position.

2. A cutter for attachments of the class described comprising a cylindrical support, a plunger mounted in said support, a cutter blade pivotally supported in connection with one end of the plunger and keyed in said support, the other end of the plunger projecting beyond the support, a spring engaging the plunger to maintain the blade in retracted position within the support, whereby, upon actuation of said plunger the blade is moved into operative position, and the pivot end portion of the blade having a cam surface engaging the support in maintaining the blade against a stop, limiting swinging movement of the blade in one direction.

3. A cutter for attachments of the class described comprising a cylindrical support, a plunger mounted in said support, a cutter blade pivotally supported in connection with one end of the plunger and keyed in said support, the other end of the plunger projecting beyond the support, a spring engaging the plunger to maintain the blade in retracted position within the support, whereby, upon actuation of said plunger, the blade is moved into operative position, the pivot end portion of the blade having a cam surface engaging the support in maintaining the blade against a stop limiting swinging movement of the blade in one direction, and means swinging the blade on its pivot in the movement-of the blade into operative -position.-

of the -class deend of theplunger projecting beyond the'support,- a springengaging the plunger to maintain the blade in retracted position within the support, whereby, upon actuation of said plunger, the blade is moved into operative position, the

pivot end portion of the blade having a cam surface engaging the support in maintaining the blade against a stop limiting swinging movement of the blade in one direction, means swinging the blade on its pivotin the movement of the blade into operative position, and said support including a guard portion for the blade when in normal position.

5. A strip folding and cutting attachment for sewing machines, said attachment comprising an elongated folder through which a strip is adapted to pass, said folder having intermediate its ends a transverse passage fully exposing a cross section of the strip therein, a tubular .plunger guide projecting angularly from said folder, a plunger mounted in said guide, a cutter coupled with said plunger and operating in said guide, means normally supporting the cutter out of operative engagement with a strip arranged in said folder and with one end of said cutter disposed in alinement with the passage of said folder, means whereby actuation of said plunger will move the cutter through the passage of said folder in sever ing that part of the strip arranged in the passage of said folder, one side of the guide having an elongated slot, andmeans \pivotally supporting the cutter in connection with said plunger to provide free swinging movement of the cutter relatively to the plunger and through the slot of said guide.

6. A strip folding and cutting attachment for I sewing machines, said attachment comprising an elongated folder through which a strip is adapted to pass, said folder having intermediate its ends a transverse passage fully exposing a cross guide projecting angularly from said folder, a plunger mounted in said guide, a cutter coupled with said plunger and operating in said guide, means normally supporting the cutter out of 01perative engagement with a strip arranged in said folder and with one end of'said cutter disposed in alinement with the passage of said folder, means whereby actuation of said plunger will move the cutter through the passage of said folder in severing that part of the strip arranged in the passage of said folder, said tubular guide having an opening extending throughout the major portion of its length, outwardly projecting flanges bordering said opening, and the end of said cutter coupled with the plunger extending through said opening and engaging the flanges to guide the cutter in its movement.

7. A strip folding and cutting attachment for sewing machines, said attachment comprising an elongated folder through which a strip is adapted to pass, said folder having intermediate its ends a transverse passage fully exposing a cross section of the strip therein, a tubular plunger guide 'p 'i w. --.1

8-QA' strip folding and cutting attachment for plunger, means extending longitudinally of the guide and engagingithe" wide end of theblade for keying the blade and plunger against rota-tionin pressing the plunger against the action ofsaid sewing machines, said attachment comprising an elongated folder through which a strip is adapted to pass, said folder having intermediate its ends a transverse passage fully exposing a cross section of the strip therein, a tubular plunger guide projecting angularly from said folder, a plunger mounted in said guide, a cutter blade havinga wide end and a pointed end, means pivoting the wide end of the blade with the lower end of the plunger, means extending longitudinally of the guide and engaging the wide end of the blade for keying the blade and plunger against rotation in said guide, a spring engaging the plunger to normally support the pointed end of the blade adjacent the passage of said folder, means for guid-,

ing the blade through said passage in depressing the plunger against the action of said spring, and

I a blade guard on the folder adjacent said pas- ,section of the strip therein, a tubular plunger sage.

9. A sewing machine attachment of the character described comprising a bracket, an elongated tubular portion on the bracket, a workpiece guide arranged transversely to one end of said tubular portion, said tubular portion having an elongated channel opening through one side thereof, said guide having a passage in registering alinement with said channel and fully exposing a workpiece passed through said guide, an elongated bevelled edge cutter movable in said channel and through the passage of said guide, a spring controlled plunger mounted insaid tubular portion and coupled with said cutter to normally support the cutter in inoperative position and to' move the cutter through said passage upon manual operationof said plunger against the action of said spring, said cutter having a pivotal mounting on said plunger, and means for swinging the cutter on its pivot in the movement thereof through the passage of said guide.

1 1 0. A sewing machine attachment of the character described comprising a bracket, an elongated tubular portion on the bracket, a workpiece guide arranged transversely to one end of said tubular portion, said tubular portion having an elongated channel opening through one side thereof, said guide having a passage in registering alinement with said channel and fully exposing a workpiece passed through said guide, an elongated bevelled edge cutter movable in said channel and through the passage of said guide, a spring controlledplunger mounted in said tubular portion and coupled with said cutter to normally support the cutter in inoperative position and to move the cutter through said passage upon manual operation of said plunger against the action of said spring, said cutter having a pivotal mounting on said plunger, means for swingingthe cutter on its pivot in the movement thereof through the passage of said guide, and a cutter guard between said tubular portion and said workpiece guide.

11. A sewing machine attachment of the character described comprising a bracket, an elongated tubular portion on the bracket, a workpiece guide arranged-transversely to one end of said tubular portion, said tubular portion having an elongated channel opening through one side thereof, said guide having a passage in registering alinement with said channel and fully exposing a workpiece passed throughsaid guide, an 5 elongated bevelled edge cutter movable in said vchanneland through the passage of said guide, a

spring controlled plunger mounted in said tubular portion and coupled with said cutter to nor- -mally support the cutter ininoperative position-1 

